Remembering
college, Thursday nights
By Oscar Montealegre
On-line Forty-Niner
The
day has finally emerged; I don’t have the
luxury of saying that I am an undergraduate
college student at Cal State Long Beach.
I was itching to graduate since I took my
first general education class, but then
during my last semester I was in awe of
how fast the days would end. Ironically,
I did not want the days to end, I realized
that my experience at CSULB was unforgettable,
and now it has come to an abrupt conclusion.
I am trying not to write a farewell column
about my experience writing for the On-line
Forty-Niner, but I cannot help it. My days
in the newsroom contained episodes that
I will never forget. Also, I established
friendships that enhanced my life and I
now obtain insane memories that I cannot
wait to tell my grandchildren. Actually,
maybe I can wait.
However, what ranks higher than my moments
in the newsroom are my escapades with the
On-line Forty-Niner staff on Thursday nights.
All of the Thursday nights for us were synonymous
with excitement and crazy fun. Unfortunately
to our parents alcohol was involved. It
was not just one or two bottles of beer
but enormous amounts of beer, liquor and
even wine slithered down our throats, penetrated
into our blood ended in our kidneys and
stomachs. Hence, the beer bellies we now
have that I have a difficulty getting rid
of.
Sometimes it was a group of 10, group of
fifteen and sometimes it was just three
of us. Regardless of the amount, somebody
from the On-line Forty-Niner news staff
was terrorizing the city of Long Beach on
Thursday nights.
We started at the notorious Nugget, ordered
pizza complimented with pints of beer. Then
we would debate where we should head next.
Every Thursday varied, but I believe that
I now know every bar in Long Beach, and
I do not even live in Long Beach. Thanks
Todd.
Going out with the staff members from the
On-line Forty-Niner was surreal; it felt
as if I knew them since my adolesence. Mike,
my former editor-in chief, always had to
be present, because without him the night
lacked laughter and spontaneity. Without
Todd, my sports editor who was basically
the activities coordinator on Thursday night,
I would not have my partner in crime, the
same could be said that I was his partner
in crime. Regardless of the matter, we have
crazy bar experiences that we will never
forget. Karl, the cool dude that would always
leave without anyone knowing, but he kept
the night stable. Luis, the most hilarious
guy at CSULB, was always present and always
surprising us. There were more people involved
that I am omitting (for instance Justin
and Jamie), but these guys were the core
of the group. They made things happen.
I can’t forget Gina, my closest friend I
have here at CSULB. She sometimes engaged
in our Thursday night adventures, always
bringing the term friendship to the table.
Well, now it is over. I am sure we will
gather during the summer but it will not
be the same. Yet, I still have my memories
and they at least will last forever.
Thank you to all my editors, Kim, Rachelle,
Jack, Miguel and Tina — I can’t forget my
girl Tina.
Another semester has ended, my last semester
has ended. Now I must embark onto new adventures,
but I will always carry my friends of the
On-line Forty-Niner staff with me.
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